Carton folding machine



H. F. CONSER CARTON FOLDING MACHINE Feb. 13, 1951 Filed May 14, 1945 11Sheets-Sheet l Feb. 13, 1951 H. F. coNsER CARTON FOLDING MACHINE 11Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed May 14, 1945 .Mig

Feb. 13, 1951 H. F. coNsER CARTON FOLDING MACHINE 11 sheets-sheet 3Filed May 14, 1945 Feb. 13, 1951 H. F. coNsER CARTON FOLDING MACHINE 11Sheets-Shawl 4 Filed May 14, 1945 NVENTOR. /Vzqg F 7075er? BY m/7770KA/Er5.

Feb. 13, 1951 F, coNsER v 2,541,914

CARTON FoLDING MACHINE Filed May 14, 1945 11 sheets-sheet 5 1N V EN TOR.a/z'fer' H. F. CONSER CARTON FOLDING MACHINE Feb. 13, 1951 11Sheets-Sheet 6 Filed May 14, 1945 Y INVENToR.

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Feb. 1'3, 1951 H. F. coNsER 2,541,914

CARTON FOLDING MACHINE Filed May 14, 1945 11 shets-sheet 7 IELE-INVENTOR. /7l l0/25er;

Feb. 13, 1951 H. F. coNsER CARTON FOLDING MACHINE 11 Sheets-Sheet 8Filed May 14, 1945 mf. )wm am i 4 m 7 9, MH r .f HW q/m Feb. 13, 1951 H.F. coNsER CARTON FOLDING MACHINE l1 Sheets-Sheet 9 Filed May l14, 1945Feb.v 13, 1951 H. F. coNsER 2,541,914

CARTON FOLDING MACHINE Filed May 14, 1945 11 sheets-sheet 1o d [2 J 4fcz @mi @EAL INVEN TOR.

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Feb. 13, 1951 H. F. coNsl-:R

CARTON FOLDING MACHINE 11 ShQets-Sheet 11 Filed May 14, 1945 PatentedFeb. 13, 1951 2,541,914 cAR-'roN FOLDING MACHINE Hugh F. Consel,Detroit, Mich., assignor to Shedd-Bartush Foods, Incorporated, DetroitMich., a corporation of Michigan Application May 14, 1945, Serial No.593,639 -l The present invention relates to a machine for slquaring andclosing one end of the type of cardboard carton vvhich has fourwalls'permanently connected together at parallel fold lines to formaclosed parallelcgram and in which each of the ends lis closed by fourfoldable flaps, two of which fold toward each other from opposite sidesof the carton and are connected together by the entry of a hook formedin one of the flapsiinto a slot formed in the other.

L' ACartons of the above type which are usedfor packaging ice' cream andsimilar materials are shipped in a flattened condition which is achievedby simply collapsing the parallelogram yformed by the four permanentlyconnected sides. When the carton is to be filled, it is necessary tosquare up the parallelogram and close one end of the carton. Because ofthe construction of the box it is necessary that it be completelysquared before the flaps, having the co-operating hook and slot, arefolded into position. Up to date no one has succeeded in developing acommercially usable machine for automatically squaring and closing oneend of such a carton, and consequently,

although millions of such cartons are used, itfhas I,been necessary tosquare and close one end by hand preparatory to lling. This is a slow,tedious, and expensive operation.

Accordingly, it is the general object of the present invention toprovide an automatic machine for squaring and closing one end of acarton of the type mentioned.

` .Another object of the invention is to provide a machine of the typementioned, which is rugged and simple in construction and foolproof andrapid in operation. V v. l l

Another object of the invention is to provide an `,improved means forfolding and interlocking a lpair of oppositely positioned flaps providedrespectively with a hook and slotwhen-the fold lines of the two Aflapsextend parallel to each other at the time of folding.

Another` object of the invention is to provide an improved means foropening the slot in the slotted iiap so that the insertion of the hookon the interlocking hooked flap will be facilitated.

Another object of the invention is to provide an improved squaring meansfor a carton of the Atype described.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a machine of thetype mentioned incorporating an improved carton feeding mechanism.

A further object of the invention is to provide an improved machine ofthe type mentioned in 2 Claims. (Cl. 93-49) which substantially all `ofthemoving parts machine are driven from a single camshaft.

Another object of the inventionxis to provide a of the machine ofthetype mentioned having a remova#` ble end closing head, the operatingmechanism of which is so connected to the permanent parts of the machineasto facilitate removal of thev head and substitutionof another headadapted to Operate upon a different size carton.

Other objects of the invention will become apparent from the', followingspecification, the accompanying drav'vings, and the nappended claims. In'the drawings, Figure l is aside elevation of the machine withl partsbroken away; Y

Figure 2 isfa planfview lof the machine withv parts ofthe operatinglinkages removed to facilitate illustration of the remaining structure;

Figure 3 is a fragmentary longitudinal section. taken on the line 3-3 ofFigure 2; Figure 4 is a fragmentary section taken on the line 4 4 ofFigure'l; I v Figure 5` is yan'enlarged fragmentaryelevation vtaken onthe line 5 5 of Figure 2, showing on scale that portion of the'mechanismindicated by the circlerE, inf Figure 1;

Figure -9is a fragmentarv transverse section taken on the line 9 9 ofFigure 1-, illustrating the operating linkage fora portion of the hookedflap closing mechanism; p -Figure 10 is a' fragmentary transversesection takenon the line llll--lll-of Figure 1 showing the operatinglinkage for lthe top flap closing mech- Figure 11 is af-ragmentarytransverse-section takenvon the line II-I I of Figure 1` showing theoperating linkage for the carton backup and end spreading member;

Figure .12 is a transverse section taken onthe line |2-I2 of Figure 1kshowing vthe operating linkage f or the hooked -ap attening element;

Figure 13 is .a fragmentary section taken on the line I 3-I3 of Figure'1 showing the operating linkage for the slotted `flap closing member; fn Figure 14 is a fragmentary sectiongtaken on the linelli- I4 of Figure1 showing the operating .linkage fer. the sleisiercinablade';

Figure is a fragmentary section on the line lB-I of Figure 14;

Figure 16 is a fragmentary section taken on the line lE-l of Figure lshowing the operating linkage for the bottom flap closing member and theslotted flap backup member;

Figure 17 is a fragmentary section taken on the line Il l of Figure lshowing the operating mechanism for the final squaring device;

Figure 18 is a perspective View showing one end of the type of cartonupon which the machine is adapted to operate;

Figure 19 is an elevation View of a carton collapsed at in the form inwhich it is shipped, showing the manner in which the magazine feed dogshifts a carton into the path of movement of the main feed pusher;

Figure 20 is a fragmentary longitudinal section looking from themagazine side of the machine and showing the initial position of thecarton spreading blade;

Figure 21 is a view similar to Figure 20 showing the carton spreadingblade after it Vhas entered the carton to the full extent;

Y Figure 22 is an end elevation taken on the line A22-22 of Figure 21;

Figure 23 is a view similar to that of Figure 22 showing the conditionof the carton after it has entered the final squaring device but beforethe final squaring device is operated;

Figure 24.is a view'similarto Figure 23 showing the condition of thecarton kafter .the nal squaring device has completed itsoperation;

Figure 25 is a fragmentary longitudinal section through the foldingheadl showing theclosed positions of the backup and end spreading.device and the top flap folding member;

Figure 26 is a View similar to Figure 25, showing the closed position ofthe bottom flap closing member and the upper position of the slottedflap backup element;

Fig. 27 is a side elevation of the carton within the folding headshowing the manner in which the slot pierce blade co-operates with theslotted flap backup element to open the slot;

Figure 28 is a view similar to Figure 27 showing the closed position ofthe slotted flap closing member;

Figure 29 is a perspective view ofthe end of the (carton within thefolding head showing the beginning of the hooked flap folding operation;

l Figure 30 is a fragmentary section taken on `the line Sil-3U of Figure29;

Figure 31 is a perspective view similar to Figure "29 showing anintermediate stage in the hooked ap folding operation justY prior toentry of the hook into the slot and the ,slotted flap; and

Figure 32 is a perspective view similar to Figures'29 and 31, showingthe final hooked flap folding .operation and the beginning of the cartonejecting operation.

In Figure 18 of the drawings is illustrated one end of the type ofcarton upon which the machine of the present invention is adapted tooperate. As there shown, the carton comprises a bottom wall a, top wallb, and a pair of side walls c and'b. A 'flap e, integral with the bottomwall a, overlaps the side wall d and is permanently secured thereto inany desired manner, as by gluing, prior to shipment of the carton to theuser. The resulting carton is in the form of a quadrilateralparallelogram which maybe collapsed flat for shipment. When the cartonis to be used it must be squared up; that is to say, the angles betweenthesides a, b, c, land d, `must be 90 degrees,

whereupon the ends may be closed. The present machine operates to squarethe carton and close one end in preparation for filling.

Since the closing flaps are the same at both ends, only one end isillustrated in Figure 18. As there shown, the end of the carton isclosed by four flaps; namely, a bottom flap f, a top iiap g, and sideflaps `h and 7'. The flap h is pro-vided with a slot ic adapted toreceive a hook m formed on the iiap i. Since the flaps and y must befolded before the flaps i and 1c, the box must be square when the flaps:i and h are folded.

Referring to the drawings, and particularly to Figures 1, 2, 3, and 4thereof, the machine is provided with a base frame indicated generallyby the numeral i, which may be of any desired construction. Asillustrated, it comprises a lower floor 2 adapted to support a motor 3,which is `connected by a belt to aspeed changer i of any perlongitudinal rails Il constituting a portion of cross-connecting members20' and 2l,

the base frame I.

The top framework ofthe Vmachine comprises Va pair of longitudinallyextendingtop rails i8 and 1.9 of channel construction, as best'shown inFi gures jl and 4, which are Vconnected together by The rails i8 and i9are supported adjacent 'their left-hand ends bya pair of inclined angleiron supportingl members 22 and at their right-hand ends by-a pair ofinclined channel members 23, 'the Ysuppporting members 22 and 23 beingsecured in any suitable manner to the base frame.

As best shown in Figures 2 and .4, an auxiliary frame 24 is secured Ytothe longitudinal channel le and is supported b yan auxiliary'strut 25 ina position projecting transversely to the rails i8 and I9. Supportedupon Ythe frame 2li is a magazine 2S whichrnay be of any desired form or.construction adapted to receive a stack of collapsed cartons indicatedin dotted lines in Figure 4 by the numeral Y2'1. The cartons within themagazine rest upon a plurality of longitudinally extending strips 28upon which the lowermost carton is adapted to slide when ejectedfrom themagazine. As best shown in Figures 2 and 7, a magazine ejector slide 2Sis slidably positioned in suitable ways formed inthe frame V24 formovement in a direction transversely to the channels I8 and I9. Theejector slide -29 carries an ejector dog 30 having a pair of spacedraised knifelike projections at its forward edge adapted to entervbetween the lowerrnost cartonV and the carton Which rests thereon whenthe dog '3 0 moves to the lcftj, :as viewed in Figure 4. During ejectionof the lowermost carton bythe dog 30 a pivoted stop 3! carried by themagazine operates toA prevent ejection of more than one carton ata time.The pivoted s top 3l is resiliently vheld in the position illustrated inthe drawings by vmeans of a leaf spring 32 shown best in Figures 3 and4. vThe spring 32 per'- mits yielding of the stop 3l in response to any`excessive forces which `might otherwise injure the mechanism. The spacebetween the two knifelike projections on the ejector dog permits the dogto pass beyond the stop 3l.

The ejected carton is `held fiat by apair of leaf springs 33 against thetop surfaces of a pair of' longitudinally extending top plates 34 and 35which are secured to the top flanges of channels 'l8and i9 and extendfor the major portion of the length of the machine. A pair oflongitudinally extending angle irons 36 and 31 are secured respectivelyto the plates 34 and 35 and are held in spaced relation to the latter bymeans of a pair of longitudinally extending spacing strips 38 and 39, asbest shown in Figure 4. The top flanges of the angle irons 36 and 31,together with the strips 38 and 39 and the top plates 34 and 35, providea guideway for a main carton feeding slide 40. A longitudinallyextending strip 4l is secured to the feeding slide 46 and forms partthereof. Strip 4| fills the gap between the plates 34 and 35, in orderto provide a smooth surface for the reception of cartons ejected fromthe magazine. A similar strip 4|a is fastened to the left-hand end ofslide 4G, as viewed in Figure 1, and projects beyond the end of slide48.

A pair of carton engaging feed dogs 42 and 43 are mounted on the to-pstrips 4l and 41a of the main feed slide in spaced relation to eachother in position to simultaneously engage the bottom flap f of twosuccessive cartons. The lefthand extremity of the strip 4l of the mainfeed slide, as viewed in Figures 1 and 8, is provided with a pivotedcarton discharge dog 44 having a spring 45 normally urging it into anupwardly inclined position, as illustrated in Figure 8.

The machine is provided with a carton opening .blade 46 which ispivotally mounted upon a pin 41 carried Iby a lug 48 fixed to the feedslide 40, as best shown in Figure 3. The carton opening blade projectsupwardly through a suitable slot formed in the longitudinal plate 35, asbest shown in Figure 2. A spring 49, iixed to the lug 48 at one end andbearing upon a projection formed on the side of the carton opening blade46, normally urges the blade 46 upwardly about its pivot pin 41. Aroller 50 journaled on the side of the carton opening blade limits itsupward movement under the influence of spring 49 by engaging the loweredge of the angle iron 31, as best shown in Figure 3. This pivotalconnection of the b1ade46 enables it to swing downwardly as it moves tothe right, as viewed in Figure 3, and passes beneath a carton lying onthe plates 34 and 35 in front of the magazine 26.

Asloping block 5I is mounted at one side of the rlongitudinal plate 35immediately adjacent the slot forI the carton opening blade 46 in suchposirtion that whenthe forwarding `dog 42 advances a carton to the leftalong the plates 34 and 35 one yside wall of the carton will be liftedin the manner hereinafter set forth in greater detail te partiallysquare the folded carton. Thereafter the folded carton is engaged by asquaring device 52 iin the form of a plate bent intermediate its ends toform a rig-ht angle and having one edge pivotally secured to the upperflange of the channel i9, as best shown in Figures `2, 3, and 1'7.

, During the squaring operation and the feeding of the cartons along theplates 34 and 35, one

1 edge of each carton is engaged by a guiding angle f'iron 53, shownbest in Figures 3 and 4. After a carton is fed from the squaring device52 it passes into a one-piece guide member comprising a horizontal guideplate 54 and a vertical guide plate Y55, the forward edges of which dareupwardly and outwardly, respectively, in order to insure that the flapson the advancing end of the carton will envter the space between theplates 54 and 55 and 'the angle iron 53. u

Y After passing the guide plates 54 and 55, the carton is fed into afolding head indicated gener-y ally at 56. This head comprises a baseplate 51 carried by a pair of detachable supporting arms support thefolding head.

58 which, as best shown in Figures 1 and 5, arel reA movably secured tothe longitudinal channels I8 and I9 by means of bolts or other suitablefastening device. A pair of cross bars 59 rest directly upon the topedges of the arms 58 and directly engage and support the base plate 51.The head is provided with a pair of side walls 6l extendinglongitudinally of the machine and a top guard or wall 62 overlying theleft-hand end o'f the head, as viewed in Figures 2 and 3.

suitably supported on the removable folding head are a number ofelements adapted to perform the successive operations required to closethe right-hand or trailing end of the carton, as viewed in Figures 1, 2,and 3. These include backup and spreader element 63 fixed to an arm 64carried by a pivot pin 65, which is journaled in a pair of uprights 66secured to the folding head. The backup and spreader member is formed ofsheet metal and flares outwardly in the manner best indicated in Figures1 andA 2, so that as it enters the left-hand open end of the carton itspreads the four iiaps at that end and also serves as a support,preventing movement of the carton under the influence of the flapclosing elements hereinafter described.

The head also includes a top flap closing element 61 mounted on a pivotpin 68 which is journaled in supporting block 69 carried by the upperedges of side wal`s 6I. A bottom flap closing element 16 is similarlycarried by pivot pin 1| journaled in supporting blocks 12, in the mannerbest shown in Figure 5. It will be noted 'that the bottom ap closingelement is divided into two sections which are transversely spaced sothat they may pivot upwardly on opposite sides of the feed slide element4Ia, as best shown in Figures 2 and 16. Fixedly secured to the bottomflap closing element is a plate 13 which is adapted to move upwardlyVupon c'osure of the bottom flap into a position inside of the adjacentside iiap ofthe carton in which position it acts as a backup member tosupport the side nap' during the subsequent slot piercing operation. Itwill be noted that the plate 13 is provided with an opening 14 to permitpenetration of the slot piercing 'blade hereinafter described. As bestshown in Figure 2, it will be seen that the guide vplate 54 is slottedat 15 to permit passage of the backup plate 13. The corresponding cornerof the longitudinal plate'35 is similarly cut away 'for the samepurpose. Itr may be noted further that the longitudinal plates 34 and 35terminate Aby means of a screw 80. The bracket 18 is welded or otherwisexed to one of the arms 53 which A folding element 8l for the slotted appivoted on a pin 82 which, as best shown in Figure 16, is carried by thepreviously mentioned `blocks 69 and 12. As best shown in Figures 1, 2.

9, and 29 through 32, a folding element 83 for the hooked flap ispivotal'y mounted upon a pin 84, the upper end of which is journalled`in a Abracket 86 carried `by a'supporting `inembercfl estirar whichrests upon 'the top edge of yone V"of the sidewall members The lower endof vthe pin 84 is journaled in a bracket 85 xed to theforv` Ward edge ofthe same side Wall member 5|. An edge retaining Velement 88 for thehooked flap is likewise freely journaled -upon'the pini-84 for movementthereon independently of the flap folder 33. The edge retaining elementA3:8 is provided With a slot 89 through Which projects 'a pin -90 xed tothe flap folder '83, as best shown in Figures 29, 30, and 31. A spring-9| carried by a spring supporting lug 92 on the element '88 passesthrough Ya suitable opening in the pin 9U and operates to pivot ytheedge retainer 88 about the pin 8`4`in advance of the ap folder '83.Consequently, the flap folder 83 drives the edge :retainer '88 `through`the spring 9|, 'andthe-slot `8.9 permits a relative lost motion betweenfthe elements 83 and'88. v A flattening element 93 for the hookediiapispivoted on a pin 94, the upper end of which .is journaled, as best shownin Figure 32, in .the aforementioned bracket V85, While the lower fendof the pin 94 is journaled in a block 951 The elements of the machine sofar described constitu-te all of the elements which engage -an'd ac'tupon the cartons during the folding operation, and the means"hereinafter described serves to operate the above described mechanismin the desired manner and sequence.

The main feed slide 44|lis operated by an eccentric closed cam 9B fixedto the shaft 1. The cam 96 is provided lwith an eccentric Aslot 91 whichreceives a roller '98 journaled on `a'lever 99. 'The lever is pivoted onva pin |90 carried Vby a bracket lili iixed to the base frame of themachine. The upper end of the lever 99 is connected to theaforementioned lug 48 on 'the -eed slide 40 by means of the pivotedlinkf|=02,'shown in Figure 3.

Asbest 'shown in -Figures 4 and `r1, aicam '|93 on the camshaft l isconnected to and operates the magazine feed slide 29 by means of falever|54. `The lever is pivoted on a'pin |95 carried by a fixed bracket |05,which is secured to one endnf 'the iframe members I1. A roller on thelower end .of the lever |84 operatively engagesthe can1"'|l!3, `and theupper end of the lever |94 is connected by a pivoted link |149 to alug|15 .secured to the underside of themaga'zine feed slide 29. A spring|'01'h-aving one end fixed to the lever |34 :and its opposite endconnected to a bracket |08 operates ztosjhold the-roller on the lever|94 inengagement with the cam |43 at alltimes.

.A pair of longitudinally eXtending'I-beams; lil Vand, i |2 rest uponthe top surfaces of .the cross members t4 and I5 in the manner bestshown `in Figures 2 and .-9 through 17. Thesebea-ms support the camoperated levers which'actuatethe remaining portions .of the mechanism.Thus, as

'shown in Fig-ure 17,-cam :ll-3 on ta camshaft .ill

engages a roller |I4 Yon-a lever |15, which is pivi oted on a pin M6carried by a bracket 'l |71 supfported on the I-beaml I |-2.. The rollery| |15 is-,held

in engagement with the cam by spr'mg I8 hav- A.

one end connected to the lever ||5 and the lother to a bracket ||9 iixedtothe inclined-suplporting member 2-2. The upper end of -the lever :|15is connected to thesquaring device 52 by ?means of a pivoted lever |24.

As best shown in Figure 1-0, a cam |2| -on the'I ment 93.

by means of a spring |26 having one end'iixed` to the lever |23 and theopposite end `fixed toa bracket |21'carricd by the I-beam The lever |23is connected to a, pivoted link |28 which in turn is connected to a bellcrank |29 carried by a pin |30. A pivoted link |3| connects the bellcrank to an arm A|32 xed to the top flap fold-y ing element 51, as bestshown in Figure 5.

A cam |33 on the camshaft I5 engages a roller |34 journaled upon alever|35. The lever is-pivoted by a pin |35 on a bracket |31 carried by theI-beam I||. The roller |34 is held in engage. ment with the cam |33 byspring |33 having 'one end connected to the lever |35 and the other to abracket |39 Xed to the I-beam As best shown in Figures 3 and 16, thelever |35 is Vconnected by a pivoted link |49 to a bell crank 14|.. Thebell crank is journaled on a pin |42 carried by a bracket |43 fixed tothe channel member i9; The bell crank |4| is connected by means of apivoted link |44 to an arm. |45 xedtotheibottom flap folding element 10.'A cam |43 is provided on the camshaft I0 for operating the slotpiercing blade 15. This cam is a face type cam having a singlerelatively sharp projection |41, as best shown in Figure 15. As shown inFigure 14, the cam |46 engages a roller v|48 on a lever |43 which ispivoted on a pin |52 carried by a bracket |53 on the I-beam ||2. Theroller |43 is held in contact with the 'cam |45 by means of a spring|53, one end of Whichisconnected to the lever and the other to a bracket|5| carried by the I-beam H2, as best shownvin Figure l. The upper endoi the lever |49, asbest shown in Figures 2 and 5, is connected by auniversally jointed link |54 to an arm |55 `on the slot piercing blade15.

vA cam |55 for operating the pierced iiap folder, as best shown inFigure 13, actuates a roller |51 on a lever |58. The lever |58 ispivoted'onfa. bracket |59 carried by the I-beam If|| and the roller isheld against the cam by spring |89, one end of which is connected to thelever Vand the other to a bracket |5| on the I-beam The lever |58 isconnected by means of a pivotedlink |52 to one arm of a bell crank lever|53 which is pivotally mounted on a pin |64 carried bya projection |35on the folding head, as best shown in Figure 5. The other arm of thebell .crank lever is connected by a universally jointed link |56 to anarmA |51 xed to the slottediiap lfolding element ISI.

As best shown in Figure 9, a cam |53 for the hooked iiap folder 33engages a roller |69 oneI lever |13. `The lever is pivotally mounted `ona bracket |1| carried by the I-beam ||.2. The roller is heldinengagement with the ca-mby a spring |12, one end of which is connectedtothe lever and the other to bracket |13 on the I-beam 2. The lever |10is connected by means .of a

pivotedlink |14 to one arm of the bell crank |15 which is pivoted on t efolding head by means of a pin |15. The other arm of the bell crank |15is connected by means of a universallyjointed `link |15 to an arm |11fixed to the hooked 'liap folding element .83. movement of the element83 effects movementfdf the edge retaining element 88 by reason of ythelost motion connection and spring 9|. v

VAs best shown in Figure 12, a .cam |19 .ispr'o- -vided for operatingthehooked flap flattening ele- This cam engages a roller |33 on` falever 18| which is pivotally mounted on a bracket |92 carried by theI-beam H2. .The rolleris -held in engagement with the cam .byspring |83.

As previously mentioned.

Vthe spreader blade 46.

one end of which is connected to the Ylever and the other t0 a bracket|84 carried by the I-beam I2.

The lever |8| is, connected by a pivoted link |85 to one arm of a bellcrank lever |86, which is pivotally mounted on a bracket depending fromthe folding head by means of a pin |81. The other arm of the .bell crank|85 is connected by a universally jointed link |88 to an arm |89 fixed fto the flattening element 93.

The backup and spreader element |63 is oper ated by cam |96, shown inFigure 11. The cam lengages a roller |9| on a lever |92 which ispivotally mounted on a bracket |93 carried by the The roller is held inengagement with the cam by a spring |94, one end of which is connectedto the lever and the other end to a bracket |95 on the I-beam ||2. Thelever |92 is Vconnected by means of a pivoted link |96 to an arm |91 onthe pivot 65 for the backup and spreader element 63.

The sequence of operations on a single carton blank is illustrated inFigures 19 through 32. Figure 19 is a plan View showing the position and-direction of movement of the collapsed carton as -it is ejected fromthe magazine onto the longif' tudinal plates 34 and 35. This occurs whenthe main feed slide 49 is in approximately the position shown in Figures1 to 3 of the drawings. Thereafter, thev feed .slide is retracted andthe spreader blade 46 passes under the ejected carton bla-nk in adirection from right to left, as viewed in Figure 20, until it comes toits extreme retracted position shown in Figure 20. During suchretraction, the -springs 33 hold the carton blank down against theplates 34 and 35, except as it is lifted slightly by As shown in Figure20, when the spreader blade is in its fully retracted Jposition, it justclears the lower flap f of the carslide engages flap f and thus limitsthe degree of penetration of the spreader blade 46 to that shown inFigure 21.

As the carton is advanced, the side wall d of the carton engages and -islifted by the sloping block .5 Since the lower edge of the spreaderblade holds the bottom wall a of the carton down against the plates 34and 35, the lifting action of block 5| -will further open or square thecarton in the manner indicated in Figure 23. The initial spreading Ybyblade 46 is essential to make the sloping. block effective because itstiffens the carton against `bending `transversely of its length andthus insures that block 5| will not simply bend the entire forwardportion of the carton upwardly.

The feed dog 42 feeds the carton without interruption from its initialposition opposite the magazine over the block 5| and into the finalsquaring -device 52, which position is reached at the end Vof theforwardstroke of the feed slide 4|). The :;z u'|'.on, whenv in that position,still engages the block 5|. The squaring device 52 then operates tocomplete `the squaring operation, as shown in toward the diagonallyopposite corner defined by the juncture of walls a and c.

Thereafter, the feed slide 46 is retracted and again advanced. Duringthe next advance stroke, feed dog 43 engages flap f of the carton andfeedsit into the folding head 56. As soon as it enters the head, the topflap y is folded downwardly and the backup and spreading devicesimultaneously enters the opposite end of the carton as shown in Figure25. The bottom flap f is then folded upwardly by member 10, as shown inFigure 26, thereby moving the backup plate 'I3 into position just insideof the flap h. In this position,

v the plate 13 supports flap h while the slot piercing blade 16 entersthe slot in flap h and spreads it slightly, as shown in Figure 27, tofacilitate sub- -sequent entry of the hook. The ap h is then folded intoposition by member 8|, as showny ijn 'Figure 28.

The final operations, which are illustrated-in Figures 29 to 32, effecta closure of theA hooked ap and the insertion of the hook m into slotlc. This operation is begun by an inward movement of flap closer 83.During the initial movement of vcloser 83, shown in Figure 29, the edgeretainer 88 is moved in advance of closer 83 by spring-9|. Consequently,the edge retainer overlies the vtop edge of the flap y'. Since the axisof movement of Ythe members 83 and 88 extends upwardly,-for

wardly, and inwardly the outer ends of members 83 and 88 swingdownwardly and the edge -re tainer forces the upper edge of the flap ibelow the plane of the top of the carton, as shown in 'Figure 31, whichillustrates the nal position of members 83 and 88. During inwardmovement of the members 83 and 88, the edge retainer 88 engages thecarton first and is held against the carton during the nal movementof'member 83 -by spring 9|, thus preventing the flap h from movingupwardly. In the final position of members 83 and 88, the top edgeofflap j, from the upper cornerof the carton to the notch adjacent thehook, is held against the carton by member 83, but the flap extendsdownwardly at such an angle that the point of hook m bears against flaph just below slot 1c. The lower edge of flap h,

therefore, bulges outwardly, as indicated in Figure 31. At this time theinner surface of member 83 is flush with that of member 88, so that theedge retainer 88 no longer engages the top'edge of the flap, but theflap is held against upward movement by reason of the fact that itsupper edge abuts at an angle against the carton.

The bulged lower edge of the flap h is then flattened against the cartonby member 93, as

shown in Figure 32. This forces the flap to move upwardly past member 3and causes the hook to enter the slot. It will be noted that theflattening of the bulge is effected progressively from the corner of thecarton, due to the fact that the axis about which member 93 is pivotedis locatedin the transverse plane of the end of the carton.

:This insures that the ap will be folded at the exact corner of thecarton. The instant that the hook begins its entry into the slot,members 83 land 88 are retracted so that they will not inter- ...apnic1.4

-engagefand leject the. 1.foldedcarton Spring --45 von the pivotedejecting -dog-:permtsethedog :to

wpivot downwardly so .thatA it can be rwithdrawn .beneath -the .carton`which isfbeing .folded .in-the head.v As-thedog 38'-.ejects the carton,the backup 5 spreading Ymember t3y is withdrawn.

.-Itwill be observed that one .carton-is completed and sejected .oneachcycle of movement-ofthe 4feeldeslide 40, but that -three cartons. .arebeing y operatednponat once. .The necessary correlation ofithevariouszoperating movementsis-.controlled .theshape andpositionof `thecams onrcam- .shaft-lfandhthe main feed-cam 96. Figures. 1- .to

-L7-ofztheedrawingsshowthe parts in the position ,they assume justbeforel the ,main .slide `MJ .com-

plates .itsl Kforward movement, during whichit ,ejectsa completedcarton, feeds. a squared carton into-.the folding head.V and `apartially square carton into the squaring device 52, Thebackup-def-.vice.53.- has just-started moving in. .The operat- 4ingcamsfare so` arranged that they various elementsof the machine areoperatedin theffollow- .ing ,sequencer from the 4positions illustrateddur'- :.ingonefrevolution of camshaftl: .(.W-here. more thanoneoperation appearszunder a single-num.-

`,4..The1 main slide 40 vcompletes its forward A.movement andstarts to.retract. The bottomap iolder 1.0.. starts up. The magazine slide. 29-com- Vpletes. its :feed stroke yand '.begins to retract.

.5. .Backup device-.63 completes its inward moveamont. .Top flapfolderiS-'I'vcompletes.itseinward movement .and starts to return.

:6..Squaring device 52 completes its closing vmovement l .7'. 'Iop .flap`:folder -6-1 completes its vreturn .-movement.

8. Bottom flap -folder 1-0 completes its upward movement. Slot vpiercingblade 1,6 starts in.

7.9;. @Slot piercer -lfstarts to return. Bottom flap :folder '10 startsdown.

1L10. vSlotted flap closer 8 I .startsin LL. -Hookedzfiap folder 83starts in.

i12. Bottom .flap folder completesy Vreturn amovement.

l -13. Pierced flap -closer 81 completes finward .movement.

14. YHooked Yflap-edge .retainer -icontactsrcarv17.0.11.

15. Hooked flaprliiattener 93 startsjn.

:16..1Hooked flap "folder 33 :completes inward :movement Hooked .fiapyiiattener 93 starts entry of :hook min slot/Ic. Hooked-nap folderStandI edge .retainerBBstart to return. Feed slide 4D com.-;pleteswreturn--movement and starts vto advance. .-I-Iooked .flapfiattener-93 completes entry of.. hook .in slolt. and startsfreturn.

-l8.-Backup' device E3 startsout.

:19.Hooked ap folder 83'ful1yv out. Hooked fapmattener 93 .fully out.Slotted Aflap-.holder 5&1! .startsout Squaringdevice-starts out.

' "20... Slotted ap folder r8l :fully out. Ejector .dog 3,-8; engagesfolded box.

21. Backup device 63 fully out and startsreturn.

:It/.should be notedthat the-movements ofmany ci .thefpartsi occursimultaneously and thati the :movements .of .the elements Ywhich eifecttheend [closing opera-tion overlap to themaximum Vdegree possiblewithout-actual mechanical interference. Accordingly, themachine can be:operatedat .high lspeed; so. `that all :of the end. closing operationsoccur almostl simultaneously. A .complete .carton is ejected from the.machine; on `each-revolu- .tion of the Vcamshaft vIIJ.

vIt will be observed that all ofthe operating movements of the 'variousvmechanisms are positively effected by cams and linkage and that returnmovements of :the elements are ,eected inmost instances by springs.Since all of the cams are on a single camshaft, the proper se- `quenceof operations. may be readily .adj usted by the relativerotative-positions of the camsA 'on .the shaft. Once vthe cams arexed.-in,pr,o,per position the fact that the operating movements fofVthe: elements are effectedV by Apositive camfaction makes it possibleto.operatethemachine-fat-very high speed, without .danger ofinterference-resultingA from kinertia effects. .The return .movementslof the various .elements, which areless critical,4 may be:satisfactorily yperformed `bv springs which need only be of sucientstrength to .complete the return movement within vthe time available`for'anygiven speed of operation. '.I'f 1desired, =all of `the cams maybe `fornLd as closed-cams .rin .themanner offcam- 96, in which .eventboth .the operating and return movements of all elements will'bepositive. Y

.It vwill be further; noted'that during eachforward' movement -of themain 'slide three cartons in various `stagesof. squ-aring` 'ori foldingarezadsvanced. .Thus the `feed dog 42 advancesajcarton Vfrom a positionin fronty of lthe magazine t0 .5a. position within `the .squaring device552-.` The .feed dog 413 :at the same time .feeds a squared lcarton:from theV squaring :device A52 into fthe fold 'ing'head'56f and theejecting -dog.`38;ejects; acompl'eted fcartonfrom the folding head.Substantially allr of `the operating. movements :of -the Vfolding headoccur during `thereturnstizokeccf the. slide;

While for convenience locating tire .motor 3 :and speed reducer "4, :themachine is :provided Ivvitha .cross..-shaft 'I which. carries Ythefmainfeed :slide cam 96, .it will be obvious. A.that since; .the shafts l andI0 rotate at the.z:same.;speed`,ithe cross. shaft..` T :may beomittedyiand main-feed `slide cam A96 mounted onzithe 4.camshaft lll. In'thatcase'v the mainfe'ed 4oarnilii .would beformerl "as/a facetypegcam, .suchas thefcam M6.

:An "important 'feature fof' the 'machine resides 'Tin Vthe ifact. that:of '.thefoperating :elements .of vthevfol"ding.flf`1ead are :carriedbyl the `:head Vandfare simple pivoted elements which effecttheircfuncftions upon a4 predetermined 'annular kmovement tabout their'.'pivoted rsupports. As 'the result 'of athis:arrangement,v the entireheadr 56 maybe rermoved` fromzthee machinebyfsimplydisconnecting thesupporting#arms58-from1'the channels |8 and -I'9', .and .disconnecting`the upper `ends Vof "the pivoted linksflf'ld, A1.28, 196, L85, IBL-and140 vand V`the Vupper end of the lever |49 'from themechanism.theasfolding head'. Thehead' may then be replaced by a head'constructed Yto fold cartons of :adiiferentsize loutV whichlwould(ot-herwise vbe similar in` construction to that illustrated. Since:the movements loflthe various loperating levers are effectedV by'predetermined annular '.movementxof each, A:the .throw of the operatinglinks l14,:!26,.|f96, 185,162, and Mil-and thell'ever |159 will' be.thelsamefor allisizes o`f"carton's and; `consequently,.no changes need.be made inthe operating .cams and `levers 'associated withltlfl'e.camshaft Hin order to .adapt the machine to opiate. .onicartons ofdifferent sizes. It Will'ibe understood, `offcourse,that. it may .alsobeneces'- sary `to change. the :squaring plate152 andi'lthe i3 magazine26 so that they fit the new carton. The stroke of the magazine feedingslide may be changed in any desired manner, if necessary, as byrelocation of the pin |05 on the bracket |06 and by shifting the camengaging roller along the length of the lever |04. The machine thus maybe readily adapted to operate on diierentsize cartons, or machines foroperating on two different sizes may be constructed to a. large extentfrom identical parts.

While only one form of the invention is shown and described it Will beunderstood that ordinary mechanical changes and substitutions may bemade without departing from the'spirit of the invention or the scope ofthe appended claims.

What is claimed is:

1. In a machine for closing the end of a carton having a pair of endflaps which fold toward each other on parallel lines, one of said apshaving a slot and the other a hook adapted to enter and interlock in theslot When the flaps are closed and having a third end ap adapted to foldat right angles to the other flaps, said machine having a pivoted memberadapted to close the third flap, a backup plate carriedby the pivtedmember and adapted to move into a positionv parallel to and along oneside of the slotted flap when the pivoted member is in flap closingposition, a spreading blade adapted to enter the slot from the oppositeside of said slotted flap and permanently displace one edge thereof outof the plane of the slotted ap While the backup plate is in saidposition, means operable thereafter to close the slotted ap and meansfor closing the hooked flap and causing the hook thereon to enter theslot by movement of the point of the hook parallel to the plane of theslotted flap.

2. In a machine for closing the end of a squared carton having at leastthree end aps, a removable folding head, pivoted elements cn the headeach adapted to close one ap, an opertng cam for each element, and meansoperatively connecting the cams and elements, said connecting meansbeing detachable from said elements to permit the substitution of afolding head adapted to operate on cartons of a different size.'

' HUGH F. CONSER.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the le ofthis patent: l

UNITED STATES PATENTS

